Display device



Jan. 9, 1951 E. F. scHUERMAN 2,537,239

DISPLAY DEVICE:`

Fil'ed July 29, 1949 2 Sheets-,Sheet l LIT:

IN VEN TOR.

EDWARD F. SGHUERMAN Jan- 9, 1951 E. F. scHUr-:RMAN l 2,537,239;

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 29, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 2 `7o H H A A ,|oSELECTOR '.90

SWITCH www @um IN VEN TOR.

es EDWARD' F. scHuERMAN -ee v ATTo E Patented Jan. 9, 1951 STATES PATENTOFFICE 6 Claims. l

This invention relates to display devices.

.en object of the invention is to provide a display device whichincludes a plurality of duplicate display areas or panels each or whichare mounted for independent or synchronized rotation about theirrespective axes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device having aplurality of duplicate panels each of which include opposed displayportions constructed and arranged to accommodate changeable displayindicia.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a display devicehaving a pluraity of duplicate panels each including opposed displayportions, one or" which is constructed to accommodate third dimensionaldisplay pieces, the other to accommodate two dimensional display pieces.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a display devicehaving the hereinabove described characteristics which includes meansoperable for selectively driving each of the panels from a common sourceand of automatically locking each panel in selected position after eachdriving sequence.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a display deviceprovided with a plurality of duplicate display panels each of whichinclude independently movable means for selectively controlling thedisclosure of indicia peculiar to said panel.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a display devicehaving the hereinabove described characteristics Which presents apleasing attention-arresting overall appearance wherein theattention-arresting characteristics of the device are greatly enhancedby the movable features of various of its display panels.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a. display devicewhich may be eiectively and advantageously used as a display mediaduring periods of time when the various panels are stationary.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein andas disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a device embodying the teachingsof the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a side view of a modied form of device comprising a detail oftheinvention.

Fig. 4 is an end view of one of the display panels comprising a detailof the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an end view of a modied form of display panel.

Anotmaterial to the instant disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a front view, partly in section,.of the display panel of Fig.5.

Fig. 7 is an end View of a pair of adjacent display panelsV illustratingtheir selectively driving means.

Fig. 8 is a schematic View of an electriccircuit which may be utilizedfor controlling the operating characteristics of my device.

With reference to Figs. l, 2 and 7, it will be noted that the devicecomprises, generally speakying, a housing lil, the front of which isopen and `comprises a plurality oi similar or duplicate panels l2 eachjournaled for rotation about their own axis ill.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention each panel comprisesopposed display portions -I6 and i8, wherein one of said portions may beso constructed and arranged as to accommodate three dimensional displaymaterial, such as, by way of example, bottles 2&3, a radio set 22, stoveV24 and any other type of third dimension object indicated generally inFig. 7 by the numeral 26. The opposite portion i8 of eachpanel ispreferably constructed in such a manner as to facilitate the display oftwo dimensional indicia, such as, by way of example, placard 28 whichmay, if .de-

, sired, bear any suitable legend,l or other indicia.

With particular reference now to Fig. 7, it Will be observed that eachof panels I2 may be selectively driven or rotated from a common driveshaft 55 which may be driven by an electric motor 52, see Fig. 3.

Each of panels I2 may be journaled for rotationabout axis lll to which apulley 54 may be secured in driving relationship. A gear 55 is slidablymounted on Shaft 50, one for each panel. Each of said gears may besuitably keyed `as at 58 to shaft 59, each gear being shiftable relativeto shaft by means of shifter arm or yoke 60 secured to and carried bythe lower end of an actuator arm 62, the upper end of-which may lbeoperatively secured to a solenoidlll in such a manner that energizationof the solenoidV will effect a lifting of actuator arm e2` and shifterarm -69 for eiecting an engagement of gear 56 with a corresponding geartt to, which a pulley 68 may be keyed, said last mentioned sets lofrpulleys and gears being suitably mounted and ,journaled for rotationabout stub shafts lo suitably secured relative to housing lil, in amanner A-latching arm 'l2 may be secured to and carried jby actua-torarm 62, said latching-arm terminating Vn-adetent 74 dimensioned to meshwith or between adjacent teeth of gear 66 for .precluding a .saccidental or unintentional rotation of said gear.

Each set of pulleys 5d and 68 may be interconnected by means of anendless driving element 80.

The operating characteristics of the device are as follows:

With reference now to Figs. '7 and 8, it will be noted that suitablemeans, such as, by way of example, a sequence selector mechanism denotedgenerally by the numeral 90 may be provided for selectively energizingvarious of the solenoids S4, it being further understood that motor 52will be energized each time any of the solenoids are energized.Energization of motor 52 will effect a rotation of drive shaft 50. Eachof the various display panel gears 66 will be normally locked againstrotation during those periods of time when their respective solenoidsare de-energized during which time detents 14 engage their respectivegears 6B, wherefore each f of the various panels will be locked in anydesired, adjusted or preselected position.

When a solenoid 6-3 is energized, its associated actuator arm |52 willbe elevated thereby disengaging detent 'M from associated gear 6B andsimultaneously therewith gear 55 will be shifted upwardly into drivingrelationship with gear 66 whereby panel l2 will be rotated until itsrespective solenoid has been dre-energized. If desired,

' the sequence selector may be entirely mechanical or if desired, it maybe semi-automatic including a plurality of manually operable controlelements S each of which provide manual control of motor 52 and one ofthe solenoids 64.

With reference now to Fig. 3, it will be noted that my driving mechanismenables me to dispose various of the display panels in varyingrelationships, thereby enhancing the overall utility of the device byenabling various of the panels to be locked in displaying position withreference to the eye-level of the average observer.

With reference now to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the indicia placardor panel 2B of Fig. '7 has been replaced by an endless belt operatingover spaced pulleys |2, one of which may be suitably driven foreffecting travel of the endless Abelt thereby facilitating presentationof the information contained thereon, In this manner over twice theamount of information may be I presented as can legibly be presented ona panel,

such as 28 of Fig. 7.

With reference now to Figs. and 6, it will be noted that a displayplacard or panel |2l has been mounted between spaced brackets |22 andthat an endless belt |2s is disposed over laterally spaced rollers |28and |39, wherein one of said rollers, such as by way of example, roller|30 may be driven by means of an electric motor |40 for causing saidbelt to move relative to indicia panel |20. A window or opening |42 maybe provided in belt |26 for restricting the amount or area of placard|20 which is visible at any one time.

It should be understood that panels of the types disclosed in Figs. 4, 5and 6 may be interchangeably associated with the device and with panelsof Fig. 7.

the front and rear faces of each of panels I2 may be provided with thirddimensional display devices, in which event arcuate hood-like members|36 would be provided on opposite faces of panels I2 whereby the overallcontour of each of the display panels would be substantially cylindricalrather than semi-cylindrical.

It should be further observed that the instant device is quite usefuleven during those periods of time when various of the display panels arenot being actuated. The overall characteristics of the device render itparticularly adaptable for use in public places, such as, theaterlobbies, department stores, stations and terminals of public utilities,the lobbies of auditoriums, and in fact, any place frequented by groupsol' people.

One of the uses contemplated by the device is to enable observersthereof to manually actuate certain accessible control elements, suchas, by way of example, buttons 96 of the selector control unit, therebyenabling the observers to selectively actuate various of the displaydevices.

It should be understood that my device permits many and variedcombinations of advertising indicia to be uniquely presented. Ifdesired, the product disclosed in three dimensions on one side of apanel may have its opposing panel provided with pertinent informationconcerning it. Placard 23 of Fig. l may contain pertinent advertisinginformation with reference to the subject matter of the threedimensional display 20 immediately above it. Likewise the rear face ofthe third dimensional display 22 immediately below the placard 28 maycontain advertising copy with reference to the third dimensionalmaterial contained on the back or rear face of the next higher panel.

Another use to which my display device is particularly well adapted isfor rendering available to the patrons of motion picture houses a se-`quential and current synopsis for persons arriving aft'lr the featureattraction has started. By mounting suitable synoptic rsums on placards28, the patrons will be able to obtain a short rsum or synopsis of theaction of the photoplay prior to their entrance into the theater.

Preferably such synoptic rsums will be officially released by theproducers of the photoplay being shown, it being further understood thatonly one panel will be turned whereby to be visible to a spectator atany one time. That is, if the display device should comprise six displaypanels, such as illustrated in Fig. 3, only one would be provided, atany one time, with synoptic material.

In Fig. 3 the synoptic material would be visible in the second panelfrom the top, wherein the uppermost panel and the four immediately belowthe second panel would be utilized for displaying third dimensionaladvertising indicia.

The timing of the Various synoptic panels would be controlled thruselector switch 90, or in some instances the actuation of the variouspanels could be controlled directly from the projection room of aphotoplay house.

It should likewise be understood that the various types of panels, suchas disclosed in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 may be utilized thereby increasing theamount of synoptic material which may be revealed to the patronsaccording to a denite predetermined sequence of operations.

The device of the instant invention is characterized by unusualattention-arresting characteristics which are emphasized by reason ofthe "show-case effect obtained by housing the third dimensional displayswithin or under the arcuately shaped transparent element |36.

What is claimed is:

1, A display device of the class described, com-- prising a plurality ofdisplay panels each mounted for rotation about their own axis, meansoperable for selectively rotating said panels from a common drive shaftincluding a rotatable drive shaft, a gear for each panel secured to saidshaft for rotation therewith and axially movable thereon, a second gearfor each panel, means operable for selectively establishing a drivingconnection between the first and second gears of each panel, meansinterconnecting each panel in driven relationship with its associatedsecond gear, and

-means operable for rotating said drive shaft.

2. A display device of the class described, comprising a plurality ofdisplay panels each mounted for rotation about their own axis, means opra ble for selectively rotating said panels from a common drive shaftincluding a rotatable drive shaft, a gear for each panel secured to saidshaft for rotation therewith and axially movable thereon, a second gearfor each panel, means interconnecting each panel in driven relationshipwith its associated second gear, an electric motor for rotating saiddrive shaft, and means operable for selectively establishing a drivingconnection between the first and second gears of said panels andsimultaneously energizing said electric motor.

3. A display device of the class described, comprising a plurality ofdisplay panels each mounted for rotation about their own axis, meansoperable for selectively rotating said panels from a' common driveshaft, including a rotatable drive shaft, a gear for each panel securedto said shaft for rotation therewith and axially movable thereon, asecond gear for each panel, means operable for selectively establishinga driving connection between the rst and second gears of each'panel andfor automatically locking the second gear against rotation except whenin driven connection with its associated first gear, meansinterconnecting each panel in driven relationship with its associatedsecond gear, and means operable for rotating said drive shaft.

4. A display device including a housing having an open front, aplurality of display panels spanning said open front arranged invertical alignment and mounted for independent rotation about theirrespective axes, a rotatable drive shaft, a plurality of gears securedto said shaft for rotation therewith and axially shiftable thereon, ashifting member for each of said gears, a solenoid for each shiftingmember, a plurality of second gears, one for each display panel, meansinterconnecting each display panel in driven relation with itsassociated second gear, a detent for each second gear for normallyprecluding rotation thereof, means interconnecting each detent relativeto an associated shifting member, means operable for selectivelyenergizing said solenoids for moving their respective gear shiftermembers for simultaneously moving an axially shiftable gear along saiddrive shaft into driving engagement with an associated second gear andfor releasing the detents from said second gear, and means operable forrotating said drive shaft incident to energization of any solenoid.

5. A display device of the character described comprising a plurality ofdisplay panels arranged in vertical alignment each journaled forrotation about their own axis, each panel including opposed displayportions, roeans operable for selectively rotating said panels forpresenting one or the other of their display portions to view, one ofthe display portions of each panel constructed and arranged to supportthird dimensional items mounted thereon, the other of said displayportions constructed and arranged to receive two dimensional indiciabearing elements, and means associated with said last mentioned displayportions for sequentially exposing to view portions of said twodimensional items.

6. A display device of the character described comprising a plurality ofdisplay panels arranged in vertical alignment each journaled forrotation about their own axis, each panel including opposed displayportions, means operable for selectively rotating said panels forpresenting one or the other of their display portions to view, one ofthe display portions of each panel constructed and arranged to supportthird dimensional items mounted thereon, the other of said displayportions including endless belt-type indicia bearing elements, and meansoperable for selectively actuating said elements.

EDWARD F. SCI-IUERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Schillinger Dec, 27, 1949 I

